One key turning point in my life was only classified ‘positive’, years after it had occurred. At the time, I felt like I’d been shafted, pushed aside, put on the shelf. Hindsight and nice sounding blogs are great. But, how do you get through these situations when you are knee deep in them?

Over time (intentionally or unintentionally) we settle on our chosen career path. With this we also develop our own career expectations and beliefs regarding our ability and importance. Sometimes we believe our skills are unique. Sometimes we believe our team, projects and company could not progress without us. As our career continues to progress it appears obvious that promotion is the next step. Yet, we seem to be bashing our head into a glass ceiling. Our teams don’t deliver, projects fail, the market turns, company leadership appears not to be listening.

Then…the turning point occurs!

Something happens, a change occurs that does not align with our career expectations and beliefs. We are shocked, disappointed. We feel like everyone is against us. We feel our reputation is in the gutter. Nothing about this change speaks of opportunity, only demotion.

You can turn this situation into a positive key turning point that builds a bright future. You can do it much quicker than it took me. Here are three steps I have developed to help you;

Take time to grieve the change. This is a process of working through the emotions entwined within change. Sometimes you need to forgive people or even yourself. The aim is to reach a point of acceptance.
Search for benefits. Pain can narrow our perspective, but we must widen our view and search for benefits. What can we learn? How will this new perspective (position, role) suit me?
Collect life’s experiences. Look at how your core strengths and skills can now be applied in different ways. Collect life’s experiences and place them on the table. They have not been wasted. They can be used. If more skills are needed, then add them to your existing ones.

A bright future will begin to emerge. This hope will also inject life, freshness and energy into your new situation.

If you are knee deep in it, we would love to buy you a coffee and discuss your bright future. 

Jason Gallagher
Director
Joseph Consulting